worsen
gb/wˈɚsən/ us/wˈɚsən/
B1
English
~ 7800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
state
1
to become worse
To get worse than before.
Usage pattern:
[something] worsens
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"more worse"* instead of using "worse" or the verb "worsen". Use "worsen" as a verb (e.g., "His condition worsened"), and use "worse" as an adjective or adverb (e.g., "His condition is worse"). They also often overuse "get worse" and avoid "worsen"; both are correct, but "worsen" is more formal and common in writing.
Synonyms
deteriorate (More formal and often used for health, conditions, or quality slowly becoming worse.)
|
decline (Suggests a gradual loss of strength, quality, or importance over time.)
|
get worse (More informal, everyday phrase with the same basic meaning.)
Antonyms
improve (Describes something becoming better instead of worse.)
|
get better (Everyday expression for the opposite change, especially with health or situations.)
Collocations
health worsens
|condition worsens
|symptoms worsen
|situation worsens
|weather worsens
|conflict worsens
Themes
health
|change
|problems
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her breathing worsened during the night, so they called an ambulance.
- Relations between the two countries have worsened in recent months.
- Traffic has worsened since the new shopping center opened.
- The drought worsened as the dry season went on.
- If the pain worsens, you should see a doctor immediately.
Learner examples
- My cough worsened after I went outside.
- The weather worsened in the afternoon.
- His grades worsened this year.
- The noise worsened as more people came.
- If your headache worsens, take a break.
unknown
B2
action
2
to make something worse
To make a problem, condition, or situation worse.
Usage pattern:
to worsen [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"make more worse"* instead of using "worsen" or simply "make worse" (e.g., say "This will worsen the problem" or "This will make the problem worse"). They may also use "worsen" with a person directly (e.g., *"The news worsened me"*), which is incorrect; you worsen a situation, condition, or feeling, not a person.
Synonyms
exacerbate (More formal; often used for problems or negative situations becoming much more serious.)
|
aggravate (Common in both everyday and formal English for making a bad condition or situation more severe.)
|
intensify (Focuses on increasing the strength of something, not always negative, but often used for problems or conflicts.)
Antonyms
improve (Means to make something better instead of worse.)
|
alleviate (Means to make a problem or pain less severe, the opposite of making it more severe.)
Collocations
worsen the situation
|worsen the problem
|worsen tensions
|worsen symptoms
|worsen inequality
|worsen climate change
Themes
problems
|change
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Cutting public transport could worsen traffic in the city center.
- Smoking can worsen asthma and other breathing problems.
- The new tax rules may worsen inequality between rich and poor.
- Lying about the mistake only worsened the situation.
- If you keep walking on that injury, you’ll worsen it.
Learner examples
- The cold air can worsen your cough.
- His rude words worsened the argument.
- Adding more tasks will worsen our stress.
- Pollution worsens the air in big cities.
- Too much salt can worsen heart problems.
Grammar
Dictionary form
worsen
IPA
GB/wˈɚsən/
US/wˈɚsən/
Syllables & stress
worsen (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (worsen)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: worsen
- 3rd Person Singular: worsens
- Present Participle: worsening
- Past: worsened
Word family
Forms
worsens
verb
worsening
verb
worsened
verb
Core family
worse
adjective A2
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.